History

History


The Club was formed in May 1991 by husband and wife Lynne and Tommy Harrison. Originally intended to run as a “Summer Coaching School” for 10 weeks the club's inception was more down to necessity. There was not enough provision in the local area to cater for the children that had attended the summer programme and the Harrison's decided to take the plunge and to establish a new community club with other volunteers.

So AFC Hindley Juniors was formalised into a Club and a Mini Soccer League was formed to accommodate 8 mini teams and 64 children.

The club was playing mini soccer long before any FA directives on this and “unknowingly” using the Dutch Club model. By 1993 AFC Hindley had grown to nearly 300 players and 26 teams, including a first “representative” team.

In 1994 it was realised that appropriate facilities would be essential for the club to achieve long term progression & the club made an application for a 25 year lease on our facilities off Park Road at the old Park High school pavilion.

It took 5 years of persuasion and negotiation and the intervention of the LFA (whose support & guidance has been vital) to get the lease on the site.

In 1999 AFC Hindley were awarded the lease and a £60k Sport England grant to develop top quality playing surfaces (work completed in 2002.

In 2000, the club was awarded Sport England’s prestigious VIP Award as the best run voluntary sports organisation (all sports not just football) in the North of England.

In June 2004 the club was successful with a Football Foundation application for £425,630 to develop new pitches on the site, a clubhouse and changing facilities.

in 2016 the club welcomed it's 25th season and to recognise the contribution of both Tom and Lynne Harrison the committee decided to rename Klausner Park the Harrison Playing Fields.

The club has had many successes along the way with players going on to play semi-professional and professional football. The club has had successful teams across all age groups with many trophies enjoyed. However, success isn't just judged by what happens on the pitch, the club has produced people that are responsible and active in their local communities. The club prides itself on developing and producing not just players but people.